**About The Guest(s):**

Kyra Lambert is a professional basketball player who has played in various countries including France, Turkey, and New Zealand. She played college basketball at Duke and Texas, and has a passion for coaching and teaching the game.​ She is currently in her 3rd year playing professional basketball.

**Summary:**

Kyra Lambert takes us down memory lane as she outline her high school, AAU and college playing days to playing professionally. She highlights the importance of being coached by individuals who have been where you want to go. Kyra emphasizes the impact of AAU in forming lifelong friendships and providing opportunities for education and personal growth.

**Key Takeaways:**

- Relationships are crucial in the AAU basketball industry and can open doors and create lifelong connections.

- The value of being coached by individuals who have experienced success in the game and can provide guidance and support.

- AAU provides opportunities for personal growth, education, and thriving in various career paths.

- Staying faithful to your beliefs, betting on yourself, and putting yourself in challenging environments can lead to long-term success.​

Order Your Merch or Purchase A Book:

www.itsjustdifferentpod.com

Ashley on IG: _thisisashleyr

Kyra on IG: ky_lamb15

Its Just Different on IG: itsjustdifferentpod

**About The Guest(s):**

Alexis Burke is a former collegiate basketball player who played at the University of Illinois and Rutgers. She now runs her own business, Hold the Rope Training, and coaches on the circuit for Essence, a Nike EYBL team.​

**Summary:**

Alexis Burke shares her insights on the importance of building strong fundamentals in youth basketball and the impact of the NIL (Name, Image, Likeness) rules on young athletes. She emphasizes the need for athletes to focus on skill development and building confidence in order to succeed in basketball and in life. Alexis also discusses her own experiences as a player, including transferring from Illinois to Rutgers and the valuable lessons she learned during that time.​

**Key Takeaways:**

- The fundamentals of basketball are often overlooked in youth basketball, leading to a lack of skill development.

- The NIL rules provide an opportunity for young athletes to learn financial literacy and gain valuable life skills.

- It is important for athletes to focus on skill development and building confidence in order to succeed in basketball and in life.

- Building strong relationships and creating a supportive team culture are essential for success in basketball and beyond.​

Order Your Merch or Purchase A Book:

www.itsjustdifferentpod.com

Ashley on IG: _thisisashleyr

Alexis on IG: _alexisburke

Its Just Different on IG: itsjustdifferentpod

Alexis Business Page: holdtheropetraining

**About The Guest(s):**

Nneka Enemkpali is a former collegiate basketball player from The The University of Texas as well as a former professional player. She has coached collegiate at many places including Gonzaga, UC Santa Barber, UNLV and USC. She is currently a college basketball coach at Rutgers University.​

**Summary:**

Nneka Enemkpali discusses the importance of teaching young athletes how to advocate for themselves and have confidence in their abilities. She emphasizes the significance of building relationships with players and the impact it can have on their development. Nneka also highlights the importance of having a strong work ethic and motor, regardless of skill level. She shares her journey from playing basketball to coaching at various colleges and offers insights into the recruiting process.​

**Key Takeaways:**

- Teaching young athletes how to advocate for themselves and have confidence is crucial.

- Building relationships with players is essential for their development and success.

- Having a strong work ethic and motor can have a significant impact, regardless of skill level.

- The recruiting process is specific to each individual and requires diligence and self-advocacy.

- Parents should empower their children to take ownership of their recruiting process and ask tough questions.​

Order Your Merch or Purchase a book:

www.itsjustdifferentpod.com

Ashley on IG: _thisisashleyr

Nneka on IG: coach_nneka

Its Just Different on IG: itsjustdifferentpod

About The Guest(s):

#girlsbasketball #basketball #youthsports #youthgirlsbasketball #youthbasketball #womensbasketball

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